Election Dates & Deadlines

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On May 7, 2020, Governor Carney issued his 15^th modification to COVID-19 State of Emergency during the public health crisis of the coronavirus pandemic relating to election dates.

"Effective immediately, the Delaware presidential primary election, originally scheduled to be conducted on April 28, 2020 pursuant to 15 Del. C. § 3181 and rescheduled to June 2, 2020 pursuant to the Sixth Modification of the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration, is hereby further rescheduled to July 7, 2020." - Governor's 15th Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency (A. Elections 1)

Delaware Presidential Primary Election: July 7, 2020
Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, June 13, 2020
Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot: Friday, July 3, 2020
Deadline to pick up an Absentee Ballot at your local elections office: July 6, 2020, Noon
Deadline to return completed Absentee Ballot: Tuesday, July 7, 2020 8:00PM

Delaware State Primary Election (State Election): Sep 15, 2020
Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, August 22, 2020
Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot: Monday, Sep 14, 2020 Noon
Deadline to return completed Absentee Ballot: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 8:00PM

Delaware General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, October 3, 2020
Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot: Monday, Nov 2, 2020 Noon
Deadline to return completed Absentee Ballot: Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020 8:00PM

Other deadlines for candidates, voters and event dates can be found on the Election Calendar.

Vote By Absentee Ballot

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On July 1, 2020, Governor John Carney signed into law House Bill 346, that allows Delawareans to vote by mail in the 2020 primary, general and special elections. House Bill 346 makes voting by mail an alternative to in-person voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and establishes procedures for voting by mail which mirror the procedures for absentee voting. Voting by mail does not replace in-person voting, which will be available for those not voting by absentee or mail ballot.

“My position on this issue has been simple and consistent. We should make it easier – not harder – for all Delawareans to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democratic process,” said Governor Carney. “That’s especially important this year as our state and country continue to grapple with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation will make sure that Delawareans can fairly and securely cast their ballots and have their voices heard.” - Governor Carney Signs Vote By Mail Legislation

On May 7, 2020, Governor Carney issued his 15^th modification to COVID-19 State of Emergency during the public health crisis of the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Carney directs the Department of Elections to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in the Democratic and Republican parties.

"The Department of Elections shall mail absentee ballot applications to all registered Democrats and Republicans in the State of Delaware, in order to provide all such registered voters the opportunity to vote by absentee ballot in the presidential primary election..." - Governor's 15th Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency (A. Elections 1)

The 15^th modification also documents how to apply for an absentee ballot.

"... the ability to select the “sick or physically disabled” reason if a voter is asymptomatic of COVID-19 infection and otherwise abiding by CDC and DPH guidelines by exercising self-quarantine or social distancing to avoid potential exposure to (and community spread of) COVID-19, and who herself or himself freely chooses to use such qualification to vote by absentee ballot." - Governor's 15th Modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency (A. Elections 1)

Applying for an Absentee Ballot

The Department of Elections offers various ways to apply for an absentee ballot: mail, email, fax, or online.

Direct Mail:

Governor Carney directed the Department of Elections to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in the Democratic and Republican parties.

Online:

1. Go to https://ivote.de.gov/ and enter your identification information.
2. Click on "Request an Absentee Ballot".
3. Accept the terms of service by clicking "Next".
4. On the "Absentee Reason" check either "Sick" or "Temporarily or Permanently Physically Disabled", then choose if you'd like to receive your ballot via mail, fax, or email.
5. Continue through step 3 - 7.
6. You're done. The Department of Elections will process your request then send you an absentee ballot via your selected method.

Mail, fax, or email:

Either using the paper application or downloading the form Request for an Absentee Ballot for Primary, General and/or Special Elections

1. Answer the voter information questions
2. Under "Select the reason you are voting by absentee ballot" choose "(3) I am sick, or temporarily or permanently physically disabled."
3. Email, mail or fax the completed form to the Elections office in your county. Contact information for each county is located here
4. You're done. The Department of Elections will process your request then send you an absentee ballot via your selected method.

At the Polls

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Find Your Polling Place

There are three ways to find your polling place

• The building listed on your polling place card is your polling place.
• Use this tool to find your polling place.
• View the Department of Elections locations to find your polling place contact number for your county.

Voting Hours

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general, special, and primary elections.

Identification

You are not required to show identification to vote. Poll workers will ask you to present an ID to speed up the check-in process. If you do not show ID, you must fill out a form before you can vote.

Examples of acceptable IDs:

• Delaware Driver’s License
• Delaware Identification Card
• U.S. Passport
• Signed Polling Place card
• Signed Social Security card
• Signed vehicle registration
• Signed credit card with photo

Electioneering

Delaware voting code prohibits campaigning within 50 feet of any polling place entrance that voters use. This includes supporting or opposing a candidate, a political party, or any political issue in any way (i.e. wearing apparel, hats, buttons, etc. chanting, holding signs).

How to Use the Voting Machine

Since May 14, 2019, Delaware has voted on the ExpressVote XL. Watch a demonstration of the ExpressVote XL voting machine in this video.

Provisional Ballot

What is a provisional ballot?

A provisional ballot may be used when a voter is attempting to vote in the Election District in which the voter is registered, but the voter's name does not appear on the poll list. Provisional Ballots are only used in elections for Federal offices, such as President, Vice President, Senate, and Representative in Congress. Provisional Ballots cannot be used for offices in local elections.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for use of a Provisional Ballot, the voter must be attempting to vote in the Election District in which they are registered to vote and be eligible to vote in Federal Elections.

How to vote with a Provisional Ballot

• To be permitted to vote with a Provisional Ballot, you must:
• Provide identification. Permitted forms of identification include current:
  • Valid Photo ID
  • Copy of utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check, paycheck, or other government document that displays your address
• Sign an affidavit to confirm that you are registered to vote in that election district and in that Federal election.

How Provisional Ballots are Tallied

• On the day following the election, Department of Elections staff in each county office review the provisional ballots cast to determine which Provisional Ballots are valid.
• Within 30 days, information about which Provisional Ballots were not counted and the reasons why will be made available to the public by the State Election Commissioner.

Voters With Disabilities

Delaware is committed to providing its citizens with:

• Accessible polling places
• Accessible voting machines
• Assistance when requested

Read the Voting in Delaware Guide for Citizens with Disabilities.

Department of Elections

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Elected Officials

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Use this tool to find your State Representative or State Senator.

National Elected Officials

State Elected Officials

Report Election Complaints

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If you encountered an issue regarding any topic covered by Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 you may issue a formal complaint.

The complaint must be submitted to the Office of State Election Commissioner or your county Department of Election. The complaint must be:

• In writing
• Notarized
• Signed and sworn by the voter filing the complaint
• You may also request a hearing regarding the complaint

You will be notified when your complaint is received. The State Election Commissioner will assign someone to investigate the issue. Any violations found will be reported to the State Election Commissioner along with a recommended course of action to correct the violation. If no violations are discovered, the complaint will be dismissed.

For more information on filing a complaint, visit Delaware's Elections website.

Results and Statistics

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Results and Statistics for the most recent election can be found on the Elections website.

For more information about voting in Delaware visit the Department of Elections website.

Voter Registration

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Register to Vote

To register to vote in Delaware, you can register:

Online

• ivote.de.gov

By Mail:

• Absentee Application

In Person (various locations):

• At the Department of Elections Office in your County
• At the DMV when you are updating your driver’s license
• At any State Service Center (DHSS)
• At the Department of Labor (DOL)
• At the State Election Commissioner
• All locations

You can register to vote:

• Anytime except after the fourth Saturday before a Primary or General Election through the day of the election.
• At least 10 days prior to a Special Election

Update Your Voter Record

You can update your voter registration through the Voter Portal.

You can update your voter record:

• Any time before an election
• At your polling place on Election Day

You can change your political party affiliation:

• Before a primary election
  • Anytime except from the last Saturday in May until the date of the Primary Election
• Before a Presidential Primary
  • Anytime except from the 59th day before the Presidential Primary through the date of the Election.

Cancel a Voter Registration

For yourself:

Submit this online request.

OR

Complete this form and submit it to the Department of Elections in your county.

For a close relative who has passed away or moved out of state:

Submit this online request.

OR

Complete this form and submit it to the Department of Elections in your county.